Site Planning & Design Flashcards
a sievelike device at the entrance to a storm sewer which traps matter that could block the sewer
catch basin
a street, alley, or other thoroughfare or easement permanently established for passage of persons or vehicles
way
a semicircular open area, with or without a roof, providing a continuous seat
exedra
the number of degrees north or south of the equator of a point on the earth’s surface
latitude
the soil layer beneath the topsoil
subsoil
the level below which the subsoil is completely saturated with water. Also called the ‘water table’
groundwater level
the study of the total pattern of relations between a community or organisms and its environment
ecology
the process of controlling, collecting, transporting, and disposing of excess water
drainage
a partial obstruction against flow, in a duct or pipe
baffle
land on which buildings have not yet been constructed, but which contains utilities and streets
improved land
the ratio of the area covered by buildings to the total lot area, expressed as a percentage
land coverage
the land surrounding a flowing stream over which water spreads when a flood occurs
flood plain
a type of residential siting in which a series of housing units are grouped closely together and surrounded by open space
cluster
a horizontal plane elevation used as a reference for other elevations in surveying and mapping
datum
a road or path reserved for bicycle traffic
bikeway
the temperature of air at which the water contained in the air begins to condense and form dew. It is therefore the temperature at which the air is at 100% relative humidity
dew point
the amount by which the average outdoor temperature at a particular location is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit for one day. degree days may also be summed and stated for a month or year
degree day (dd)
the intersection of two roads at different levels so that vehicles may move from one road to the other without crossing the stream of traffic. Also called ‘interchange’
grade separation
the extension of a building into the property of another
encroachment
inclination or slant, especially of the ground surface
slope
paving using crushed stone
macadam
a horizontal angle measured clockwise from north or south
azimuth
a bank of earth, often piled up against a wall
berm
concrete used for paving which uses crushed granite as the coarse aggregate
granolith
a graded flow path used in open drainage systems
swale
the prevailing or average weather conditions of a place as determined over a number of years
climate
the boundary line of a lot
lot line
the angle which the sun makes with the horizon
altitude
The smallest identifiable parcel of land in a city
lot
the net ground area of a lot which can be covered by a building after required setbacks and other zoning limitations have been accounted for
buildable area
a landscaped strip of ground between a pedestrian walk and a street
planting strip
having no environmental barriers, thereby permitting free access and circulation by the handicapped
barrier-free
Reflectivity measured as the relative permeability of a surface to radiant energy flowing in either direction
albedo
a division of urban land, normally private property, which is surrounded by public streets, and which is officially established and recorded
block
an imaginary line on the ground surface connecting all points of equal elevation
contour
removing and/or adding earth in order to bring the ground surface to a specified elevation or profile. Also called ‘earthwork’
grading
a pattern of land use which develops along a line, such as a highway or river
linear pattern
the elevation of a specified point on the ground or on a structure
spot elevation
designing the external physical environment in which buildings and structures are placed
site planning
flow from a culvert, sewer, or other channel
discharge
any public way or thoroughfare 10to 16 feet in width which has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use
alley
the level below which the subsoil is completely saturated with water. Also called the ‘groundwater level’
water table
a very large area of land in which all through traffic is eliminated, but which may be penetrated by culs-de-sac or minor loop roads
superblock
space provided for vehicular parking separate from the dedicated street right-of-way
off-street parking
a plan of a city or subdivision, showing the boundaries of individual properties
plat
a space, open and unobstructed to the sky, located at or above grade, and bounded on three or more sides by the walls of a building
court
one or more spaces designated for physically handicapped persons, requiring special design and dimensions
handicapped parking
an underground pipe or drain used to carry off waste matter
sanitary sewer
an open, unoccupied space, other than a court, unobstructed to the sky, on the lot on which a building is situated
yard
the process of determining location, form, and boundaries of a parcel of land by measurement, computation, and drawing
survey
Removing and/or adding earth in order to bring the ground surface to a specified elevation or profile. Also called ‘grading’
earthwork
The rate of slope between two points on a surface, determined by dividing their vertical difference in elevation by their horizontal distance apart
gradient
a legal boundary of a parcel of land
property line
a sewer for carrying away surface rain water, an opposed to sanitary sewer
storm sewer
a flat or level surface
plane
the minimum distance from the property line into which a structure may not extend
setback
a log showing the types of soil encountered in a test boring and other relevant information
soil boring log
a belvedere or viewing place
gazebo
the difference of elevation between adjacent contour lines
contour interval
a hole through which a person can enter a sewer, pipe, conduit, and so on for inspection, repair, or maintenance
manhole
the geographic area from which the participants in an activity are drawn, such as the customers of a shopping center or the employees of a manufacturing plant
catchment
the digging or removal or earth
excavation
the climatic characteristics unique to a very small area
microclimate
The percentage of total rainfall which is not absorbed in the ground and, hence, runs off. It must be collected in a system of surface and subsurface drains
runoff coefficient
the total horizontal area within the boundary lines of a parcel of land
lot area
the natural and manmade things, conditions, and influences surrounding a person, community, or place
environment
A public service, such as telephone, water, gas, or electricity
utility
the design and arrangement of natural elements on a site
landscaping
the amount or degree of moisture in an area, a determining element of weather
humidity
In surveying, a direction stated in degrees, minutes, and seconds as an angular deviation east or west from due north or south
bearing
A fictitious temperature assigned to a combination of actual temperature and wind velocity which has the same physiological effects as still air at the chill factor temperature. It is also known as ‘wind chill index’
chill factor
the lowest point of the inside of a drain, pipe, channel, or other liquid-carrying conduit
invert
structures or plants, which, because of their form and location, reduce wind velocities
windbreak
the gradual wearing away or disintegration of land caused by water, wind, and so on running over its surface
erosion
an excavated, level terrace in a slope used to collect running water
bench
A pit, usually filled with coarse stone, into which water is conducted for leaching out into surrounding soil
dry well
A fictitious temperature assigned to a combination of actual temperature and wind velocity which has the same physiological effect as still air at the wind chill index temperature. It is also known as ‘chill factor’
wind chill index
a circumference or loop roadway around an urban area or development
ring road
a housing pattern in which units face into a common open space
court pattern
An underground pipe or drain used to carry off rain water (storm sewer) or waste matter (sanitary sewer)
sewer
earth which is removed (cut) an earth which is added (fill) in grading
cut and fill
an approximately level building area
pad
the height above a known point of reference, often taken as the highest above sea level
elevation
the expected maximum depth of frost penetration in the ground in a given area
frost line
an underground geological formation through which water flows
aquifer
an ornamental garden arrangement
parterre
a line, usually parallel to a property line, beyond which a structure may not extend
building line
earth that is replaced around a foundation or retaining wall after the concrete forms have been removed
backfill
the rate of rise or descent of a sloping surface. Also, to remove and/or add earth in order to bring the ground surface to a specified elevation or profile
grade
a stone guard to prevent damage to a wall; also a freestanding stone post to divert vehicular traffic
bollard
a parcel of land
plot
process by which water vapor escapes into the atmosphere from plants
transpiration
describing cone-bearing evergreen trees and shrubs, such as pine, spruce, fir, and cedar
coniferous
the surface flow of water from an area
run-off
A fictitious temperature which would produce the same physiological effects as the combined effects of temperature, humidity, and air movement
effective temperature
Clay pipe, usually with open joints, used to convey water away from a footing or to disperse liquid in a septic tank field
drain tile
the right of an owner to have ingress and egress to and from a property
access right
the length of a lot line along a street or other public way
frontage
the rights to the use of control of the air space above a property
air rights
the elevation of the ground surface after completion of all work
finish grade
the general pattern of movement of the water on, under, and above the earth
water cycle
trees which shed leaves annually, as opposed to evergreens
deciduous
a length of pipe, running under a road or other barrier, used to drain or carry water
culvert
trees having green leaves throughout the year, as opposed to deciduous
evergreen
A statement, often required by a governmental body, which assesses the environmental impact of a proposed development
environmental impact statement
The ability to receive light directly from the sun.
Local government jurisdiction may have laws or guideline addressing solar access issues, such as the blocking of sunlight or the shading of an adjoining property
solar access
Graphical diagrams that show the path of the sun through the sky based on the time of day and day of year.
Sun charts are useful for predicting solar access at various locations on a site
sun charts
The movements of air by nonmechanical, natural means. Warmer air rises and cooler air descends, which can create predictable air flows.
Examples include onshore/offshore breezes and morning/evening air movement up and down large natural formations such as valleys and mountain sides
natural convection
The increased velocity of wind caused by the narrowing of area available for air movement.
The wind tunnel effect can be enhanced by the location of large buildings in urban environments or door openings in courtyards
wind tunnel effect
A two-stage process to determine if a site may be contaminated with harmful chemicals or hazardous substances.
The Phase I ESA is warranted if environmental pollution is suspected. A Phase II ESA is only required if the Phase I ESA recommends it. Actual soil and groundwater testing only occur during a Phase II ESA
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
A usable site not previously developed or graded.
Developing a greenfield site may remove wildlife habitat and have negative impacts on the environment
greenfield
Property that has or is suspected of having hazardous substances or environmental contamination that may inhibit or complicate development or reuse.
An environmental site assessment may be required to determine if hazardous substances actually exist.
brownfield
a right given to another person or entity to trespass upon land that the person or entity does not own
easement
the number of degrees east or west of the prime meridian on the earth’s surface
longitude
assessment of potential archaeological significance of places where development is proposed
archaeological field survey
An open excavation used to obtain soil samples foundation studies
test pit
landscape element designed to remove silt and pollutants from surface runoff water
bioswale
a low lying area designed to temporarily hold a set amount of water while slowly draining to another location
detention pond
Irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters
drip irrigation
a temperature phenomenon in which heat absorbing materials release heat from sunlight into the surrounding atmosphere
heat island effect
a pond designed to hold a set amount of water indefinitely with drainage leading to another location when capacity is reached
retention pond
landscaping designed to reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation
xeriscaping
a power station using photovoltaic modules and inverters for utility scale electricity generation
solar farm
a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electricity
wind farm
ADAAG
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
SWPPP
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
A trench covered with gravel or rock or containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface and groundwater away from an area
French drain
Reduce the light going up into the sky which reduces visibility of stars
dark sky
The result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light to be directed into the eyes and the night sky
light pollution
When unwanted light enters a neighboring property, for instance, by shining over a fence
light trespass
the direction pointing directly below a particular location
nadir
a designated area where vehicles, supplies, and construction equipment are positioned for access and use to a construction site
staging area
The removal and satisfactory disposal of trees, downed timber, snags, brush, garbage, trash, debris, fencing, and other items occurring in the designated areas to be cleared
clearing
the removal and disposal of stumps and roots from designated clearing areas
grubbing
The removal and satisfactory disposal of crops, weeds, grass, and other vegetative materials to the ground surface and topsoil
stripping
an algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities
critical path method
